wwt, very good points. Sounds like you understand the dance well. Education before offer.
Gary Vaynerchuck describes 'jab jab jab, right hook' to provide several instances of value (via educating and informing prospects, free tools, etc.) before making a sales pitch or offer. It's certainly worked for me and I have more pre-qualified leads show up. I also created a two FAQs specifically to address people who are 1) ready to order and 2) who may need more convincing. If someone contacts me with a question already answered in those I simply thank them for their interest, direct them toward those links and add a couple testimonial links relevant to their needs / application. I prefer they express interest in my products / services instead of me fishing for a sale. I used to do that (and maybe as a very early-stage startup you have to) but am happier now to update my educational resources / blog / create for customers already in the queue.
Gary Vaynerchuck describes 'jab jab jab, right hook' to provide several instances of value (via educating and informing prospects, free tools, etc.) before making a sales pitch or offer. It's certainly worked for me and I have more pre-qualified leads show up. I also created a two FAQs specifically to address people who are 1) ready to order and 2) who may need more convincing. If someone contacts me with a question already answered in those I simply thank them for their interest, direct them toward those links and add a couple testimonial links relevant to their needs / application. I prefer they express interest in my products / services instead of me fishing for a sale. I used to do that (and maybe as a very early-stage startup you have to) but am happier now to update my educational resources / blog / create for customers already in the queue.